The Atlanta Falcons achieved a rare feat in the 2016 draft. They managed to produce a draft class which set their team up for the long term future. Typically, the selection of a quarterback is credited as the moment which can set your franchise up for the next 10-15 years if played correctly. But doing it without drafting a quarterback? That is certainly unusual, usually only achieved by maybe one or two teams in a draft at most. In most draft classes, for all the right picks, there are some misses in there as well.
The New Orleans Saints have perhaps the most heralded draft class of the recent past, and rightly so. They drafted five starters in the 2017 class alone, which has set this current team up for its recent success. However, the Falcons draft class should not be forgotten because it was equally impressive.
When you are talking about the dominance of a draft class, you first turn your head towards the play style of the player. This draft was one of the first of many where the Atlanta Falcons emphasized athleticism and versatility. A look back now shows meaningful contributions from five of the six players the team drafted, which is an unreal return on investment most organizations don’t ever see.
Round 1, Pick 17: Keanu Neal, Safety
The Atlanta Falcons started their search for athletic playmakers on both sides of the ball with Keanu Neal. Neal, who played in a very varied role while at the University of Florida, was a player the Falcons struggled to pass up with that being their aim. He has continued to develop as a downhill, hard-hitting playmaker. He may not be the ballhawk some teams emphasize, but he fits what the Falcons ask him to do. This goes back to his rookie year, where his versatility allowed him to play five different positions on the defense.
Even now you will see Neal lined up as a linebacker, as he plays best closer to the action. The result of this is that Neal was second on the team in tackles in 2016 and 2017, his rookie- and sophomore-seasons respectively. Outside of last season, where an injury limited him to only one game, Neal has been one of the most impactful players on this young Falcons team.
Round 2, Pick 52: Deion Jones, Linebacker
In the second round, the Falcons selected Deion Jones out of LSU. Jones was the at the time often questioned smaller hybrid linebacker mold coming out of college. With elite coverage skills, the Falcons decided to take a chance of Jones, and the dividends have paid off exponentially.
In his first two seasons, Jones led the Falcons in tackles both years. He also excelled in coverage making an impressive six interceptions and 21 pass deflections during those seasons. A mark of his success is that the Falcons have since invested in players with a similar profile to Jones’s.
Round 3 Pick 81: Austin Hooper, Tight End
Austin Hooper had a very successful college career earning All-American honors his freshman year. He followed that up by being a Mackey Award Finalists and All-PAC 12 first team as a sophomore.
Since entering the league, Hooper’s stats have increased each year with the team. His most recent year, in 2018, he had 660 receiving yards and four touchdowns. It’s not often a tight end can enter the league and find instant success. While Hooper hasn’t had a George Kittle like breakout just yet improvement each season has been more than evident.
Round 4, Pick 115: De’Vondre Campbell, Linebacker
De’Vondre Campbell quickly earned a starting job for the Atlanta Falcons and became a sort of surprise player for many. He was drafted in the fourth round and was the first Falcon drafted in the class not to have an uber-athletic profile. As we have seen by his performances on the field, that has not shown to be much of a problem.
After starting his rookie year, a little slow Campbell has posted two back to back 90-plus tackle seasons. On top of that, he has shown to be a great compliment to Jones and presents himself well in coverage. Campbell is possibly one of the most underrated players on the Falcons defense, but his weekly contributions have helped set this team up for much success.
Round 6, Pick 195: Wes Schweitzer, Offensive Guard
After being inactive for all 16 games of the 2016 season, Wes Schweitzer made his debut in the season opener against the Chicago Bears in 2017. Since then he has played in 31 games for the team, starting in 29 of them. That is a pretty substantial contribution from a player drafted in the sixth round.
Entering this season Schweitzer is slated to be the backup center for the team after up-and-down play as a starter. This move comes after the Falcons drafted Chris Lindstrom in the first round of the 2019 draft.
Round 7, Pick 238: Devin Fuller, Wide Receiver/Punt Returner
Out of the Atlanta Falcons 2016 draft class, Devin Fuller is the only player not on the roster anymore. After suffering two back to back season ending injuries the team decided to waive him last June.
Coming out of college Fuller was known for his impressive 4.39 40-yard dash and a 6.1 yard per return. Before being waived Fuller was competing for a punt return spot on the roster. Cutting a seventh-round pick is relatively standard practice, as for some it is impressive for them to last as long as he did on the roster.